Commercial auto insurance for therapists and counselors

Your employees may be skilled drivers, but accidents can happen to anyone. A collision could lead to another motorist getting injured, or your therapy clinic's van or car being totaled.

An auto accident could cost your small business thousands of dollars, especially if someone is hurt. Compare that to the median premium of about $140 per month for small businesses, and it’s easy to see why commercial auto insurance is the better deal.

Commercial auto insurance helps pay for lawsuits, property damage, and medical costs that arise from an accident involving a company vehicle. It can also cover vehicle theft, vandalism, and damage from hail and storms.

This policy can be tailored to fit the needs of your therapy or counseling business. For example, a pastoral counselors who drives infrequently to see homebound clients may need less coverage than a van belonging to an animal-assisted therapist that brings therapy dogs to schools, senior centers, and other venues.

Company-owned vehicles must be covered by commercial auto insurance. It's the law in almost every state.

Commercial auto insurance may be required if you:

• Own a mobile speech-language pathologist (SLP) van or other work vehicle
• Transport clients or work supplies
• Send wellness counselors or other employees to clients' homes

State regulations determine how much coverage you need. Your commercial auto insurance must meet your state’s liability insurance requirements.

You can tailor your commercial auto insurance policy to match your clinic's risks and its budget. This policy can cover:

If your therapy practice is sued over an auto accident, legal expenses can pile up fast. You may also have to pay a settlement or court-ordered judgment.

If an accident injures the driver of your business's vehicle, or any passengers, your policy can cover the cost of medical care.

Collision coverage pays for damage to a company car or other work vehicle, regardless of who caused the accident.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for damage caused by drivers who lack insurance. Some states require this coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision damages, including fire, theft, and vandalism.

Commercial auto insurance only covers vehicles that are owned by a business, but therapists and counselors often drive their own cars to clients' homes. However, personal auto insurance also won't provide coverage if you get into an accident while driving for work.

Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) provides liability coverage for sole proprietors and employees who get into an accident while driving a personal, leased, or rented vehicle to conduct company business.

While commercial auto insurance covers the risks of driving for work, it does not protect against other common business risks. Client injuries or damage to your business property can occur at any clinic. Other important insurance policies for therapists and counselors to consider include:

General liability insurance: A general liability policy provides financial protection against client lawsuits related to slip-and-fall injuries and other common accidents.

Business owner’s policy (BOP): This policy bundles general liability coverage with commercial property insurance at a lower rate than if the policies were purchased separately.

Professional liability insurance: Also called malpractice insurance, this policy can help cover legal expenses related to accusations of work errors or negligence.

Workers’ compensation insurance: Workers’ comp can cover medical costs for work-related injuries. State laws usually require this coverage for small businesses with employees.

Cyber liability insurance: This policy covers financial losses from data breaches and cyberattacks. It's recommended for any small business that stores personal information.

Are you ready to safeguard your therapy clinic or counseling business with commercial auto insurance? Complete Insureon’s easy online application today. Once you find the right policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.